Farmer of the Year Brian Hodge (left) receives his trophy from Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Kedrick Pickering (middle) and Shan Mohammed of NAGICO. Photo: VINO

Pigs and goats were on exhibit.

Students of the Francis Lettsome Primary performing.

This is the 20th year the event is being held.

Hodge also carted off the best pig and livestock farmer.

Held under the theme, “Celebrating 20 years of BVI culture through agriculture”, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Kedrick Pickering declared the week opened at 11:38 a.m., and in his speech vowed that agriculture will not remain stagnant in the Territory.

He noted that the Food and Agriculture Organization recognize that chronic hunger is the single most important global issue of concern.

“While the issue of chronic hunger may seem foreign to our islands it is something that we must certainly keep at the forefront of our minds. On any given day we can walk into the supermarkets and select from a range of food items but my friends this is a privilege that many of us often take for granted,” the Natural Resources Minister pointed out.

He noted that the Virgin Islands (VI) is highly dependent on external sources of food supplies and it is conceivable that “we can become a part of the frightening statistics that if something happens outside of our control in which we are not favoured visit from Tropical or Crowley Shipping agents”.

Alluding to the fact that agriculture has evolved over the last 50 years, Hon. Pickering also stated that it is the hope and aspiration of the Agriculture Department to continually assist or increase the ability to have those who farm to find ready markets to sell their produce.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith pledged that his Government will make every effort to rectify the water woes of farmers.

“You may recall that we campaigned on the issue of an adequate and affordable water supply to farmers. In our previous term in office, we made every effort to solve the water woes of farmers. Paraquita Bay wells had been reactivated and water tanks were imported and distributed to farmers, all as a part of our national programme to assist farmers.

So, here we are five years later and I am here to tell you that we are committed to solving these water woes, once again. We are committed to fixing the economy; we are committed to improving the standard of living for all; we are committed to improving the quality of life for all; and we are committed to building a sustainable Virgin Islands,” he assured farmers.

The Premier also noted that his Government sees agriculture as a way to strengthen the VI’s economic base, and to make it more financially secure to withstand the fluctuations in the global economy.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Chief Agricultural Officer Bevin Braithwaite who revealed that the Department has its setbacks and is facing new ones. However, he and his team are determined to succeed through creativity and strength.

“The constraints, challenges and realities that confront the farmers at this crucial moment are numerous and diverse,” he added.

Braithwaite highlighted the growing population; shrinking domestic agriculture and a chronic reliance on imported food are just a few challenges being faced.

The ceremony was chaired by Ronald Berkley, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Natural Resources and Labour, with entertainment provided by the Elmore Stoutt High School, Little Litehouse preschool and the Francis Lettsome Primary school.